A Hard Goodbye

Oh little Dido--

We had a great last visit--We spent some time in the director's office when we arrived.  There was a paper that our facilitator needed to say we had been visiting every day-- they asked if we wanted to see Derrik again today---Ummmmm YES (they actually seemed a little surprised--) they brought him in and he reached his arms right out to me.

Before the visit, we stopped at the store (a smallish baby store on the way to the orphanage) and bought 100 tubs of a pudding like nutritional supplement. At the orphanage, they have agreed to give him one everyday until we return.-- The folks at the store thought we were nuts-- no Bulgarian from us-- no English from them-- finally they called a friend who spoke a bit of English to make sure we REALLY wanted 100 packs of pudding--- YES-- we do! 400 calories per tub and Dido needs every last one!

Our facilitation team left heading back to Sofia after we got all the paperwork completed--- we stayed with Derrik until the last possible second, we did the walk and walk around the grounds--- Some swing time, then up to the meeting room to feed him lunch--- by about 12:10---40 minutes past our meeting time was supposed to end-- we could put it off no longer. Bye Bye little Dido--- we will be back as soon as we can---

Earlier we asked our facilitator to tell Derrik what was going to happen..."Mama and Papa love you, but they can't take you home right now--- they will need to leave you for a little while but they will come back to get you and rub your tiny legs and arms and give you hugs and be with you forever."  I'm sure our facilitator thought she was just humoring us-- but I really think that Dido understood on some level. While he was getting the news he buried his head harder than he ever has into my chest and seemed quite sad.

After our meeting we grabbed a cab to the train station for the trip to Shumen. ---- 2 hours to kill---- let's go to the beach!  Mary did not want sand_ I did, so we had to find a beach cafe for her so I could take one last plunge in the warm waters of the Black Sea. -- a 2 km walk and we are there! Ahhh salad, coke/fanta mix and the beach! About an hour there and up to get a cab back to the station (feet too tired to walk again) We got a nice guy who used to be a mate of a commercial fishing ship driving the cab--- he gave us literature (in Russian) about his house on the beach that he rents out--- and gave us travel tips for Shumen-- You hear a lot about the scamming cab drivers in Bulgaria. This guys was a prince. Our cab was 3.40 leva and I was just going to round up to 5. He refused and said 4 was enough--- My cynical self melted.

We had a nice 3 1/2 hour train ride to Shumen. Thanks to Andre, our driver/guide/IT guru at Hotel Shumen for getting us settled in with great WiFi. We took a stroll to get some Beer and Pop and came back to enjoy the best meal we have had thus far in Bulgaria-- I had Grilled Veggies and Pork Kabobs. Mary had a Chicken in cream sauce type dish

tomorrow we will stop for flowers and hunt for Jordan's grave---

I'll update when I can


Papa

Day 4 with little Dido--

---we only have one more meeting before we must go.

Pictures and videos follow----- HA—so you must read (or scroll)!

It was another beautiful day on the sea in Burgas, Bulgaria. There was a threat of rain and it was dark at times, but we never got a drop. The daytime high has been into the 90s, but today was only in the low 80s with a nice breeze from the east.

Up early to get some work done before breakfast. Down to breakfast (scrambled eggs, Bulgarian bacon, toast, fruit and water (beware the orange stuff posing as juice—it is really some artificially flavored and nutrasweet sweetened fruit-like drink – stay away!)

For the past couple of days, Derrik (or Dido or Didi as they call him) has wanted only me in the mornings. Hugs, songs and being carried around the grounds outside--- he looks and flirts with mom but does not want to go to her (exact opposite in the afternoon). It is had to believe how fast these visit go by. After 90 minutes we take him up to the meeting room where they have left his lunch for us to feed him. Some sort of meat porridge—yum. Some soup with bread in it—yummier, some broth (maybe fish)—no thanks.

He LOVES to eat, but has trouble with texture and with thin stuff--

During our midday break we came back to the hotel to do some more work and then went out hunting for some meal supplements to leave with Derrik. Found em—400 calories, lots of protein, vitamins and minerals--  We will buy one for each day until our best guess for a return. We grabbed a good lunch at a pizza place (shepherd salad,  and fungi and ham pizza). Back to the hotel for the ride to see little Dido!

I LOVE all of our time with the little guy, but afternoons are even more special. We have a huge playroom with mats, mirrors and a huge ball pit (and it has AC!) He usually has just woken up from his nap and is in the super-cute groggy state. He prefers Mary during these visits, but still lets me get close and play with him. Hard to believe but the 90 minutes passed in a flash. He ate his hi-cal snack (loved it) and got his feet and arms lubed and rubbed.(loved it). Only one more vist L

We headed back to the beach and “our restaurant” for dinner. Toni, Marty and Toni’s aunt have been getting plates of small fishes every night (heads and tails attached—just pop em in like a cocktail weenie, head and all). I finally got up the nerve to try one tonight--- after a couple of my new fave beers (Shumensko). You know what--- the little buggers are not too bad. Not sure I’d want a whole plate but I’m glad I ate like a local (for just a minute).

Tomorrow we are up at 8. Breakfast at 9, to the store to buy the supplement for Derrik then to the orphanage “Faith, Hope and Love” for one last visit with our tiny angel.

We will send most of the luggage back to Sofia with Toni and we will cab to the station to catch our 3pm train to Shumen.  We will be there until Sunday morning.

Our main mission in Shumen  is to visit our lost little guy’s grave site. Toni has arranged for a driver to help us find his body’s final resting place.  It is very hard to put my feelings into words. I still miss Jordan so much, I tear up still when I think of him and what should have been with us all together--Yet I am in amazement that he led us to Derrik. Upon his adoption Didowill be given the middle name Emmanuel ---God is indeed with us.

Rest in peace, Jordan—be calm until we can return for you, Dido Emmanuel.

Love,

Papa

now the photos:

More Photos and Video

Not a lot of stills today--- a Pic of our Mc Lunch including shrimp and beer (hey we are on the sea) Plus a visit to the Burgas Mall and some MUCH needed iced tea from Starbucks..

Thanks for reading!


papa

Day 3 with DiDi!

His caretakers call him DeeDee or DeeDo. Every day we see he is more of a character-- He has very specific likes and dislikes-- do NOT touch his back, DO tickle him and touch lightly all over UNLESS he moves your hand away. Do make kissing noises near his mouth and expect a slobbery kiss--- do NOT be shocked if you get a bit of his lunch with it.

He loves to walk (with both hands being held) He loves to scoot on his bum around the playroom (still have not been able to get video of that)

He loves his ball--do NOT try to take it away

He HATES being poked by the doctor---BIG tears

He is so sweet and just wants to be with us, to be held, and to be loved--

What a beautiful little gift from God---

The Web is being really slow tonight here--- I will continue to try to get the videos and more pick up this evening

love,

papa

The Picture Man Can!

Please be sure to visit Mary's Blog HERE for a blow by blow of how things are going---

It is still hard to get over how tiny Derrik is--- 5 1/2 and he wears size 9 months.  He showed a bit more of his personalty today-- he has strong likes and dislikes and is not at all shy about letting us know that he does NOT like his back touched!

It is going to be unbelievably hard to leave him on Friday--- I do not want to think about it until then---

okay--

My job (since we only have one internet connection and very limited time to post) is to upload Pics and Video

so here you go!

What a wonderful day!

He is sooooooo tiny. Little Derrik is, well--um Little.

First the pictures from today---well okay first a snack from the McKiosk at the airport where they delivered our luggage--

We met in the directors' office and after a few minutes we were actually surprised that they brought the little guy right in.

He came to me when I held out my arms--- another surprise. He was pretty shy without a lot of eye contact at first. He wanted to play the clapping game that he plays with the workers with me. We did--- he liked it.

Mary got him and we moved into the playroom where we discovered his love for the light-up "spiky ball"--

Play, cuddle, MUCH better eye contact as the meeting progressed.

We went for a short walk outside and it was time to go.

We went to the beach during our break and back for another WAAAAY to fast visit in the afternoon.


I will post more video later---- but here is a quick snippet

Quick AM update

Our bags are here!

We had an early wakeup call and great breakfast--- got to the airport to get our bags-- no delay--- no drama.

Back in the room now for showers and in about 35 minutes we are off to see Derrik--

And for fun---the Black Sea